Largely because of that technology, flying in Alaska is now remarkably reliable — even in the dead of winter, when it is snowing, when there are just two hours of daylight, when runways are made slippery by ice or sleet, when winds blow at more than 50 miles an hour and pilots can barely see out the windshield. When, in other words, no one in his right mind would want to land a Boeing 737 with 140 passengers on a 6,000-foot runway.
That description answers the question in itself, given the fact that the skipper has been given the keys to the jet, along with the responsibility. New guys should not be insulted in the least, if the company has "Captains Only Airport". Its pretty tough to allow a newly released FO loose in those conditions until his or her captain feels comfortable enough flying with any individual in such hostile conditions. Experience can be gained with comfort in less than ideal conditions at larger airports with longer and wider runways.